Apparatus for scoring ice



lab? I I m March 19, 1929. R. T. GRAY 1,706,227

APPARATUS FOR SCORING ICE Fil'ed Feb. 21, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I A n INVENTOR.

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March 19, 1929. R. "r. GRAY APPARATUS FOR SCORING ICE Filed 21, 1927 3 swam-25mm B March 19,1929. R. T. GRAY v 1,706,227

APPARATUS FOR SCORING ICE 71111111!!! I III/I !!lllll glllll ill,

[III ,7], III/Ir] I JNIVENTOR. 1 WMWM #54 ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. .19, 1929.

UNITED STATES ROSOOE '1. GRAY, OF BROOKFIELD, MISSOURI.

' APPARATUS FOR SCORING ICE.

Application filed February 21, v1927. Serial No. 169,866.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for scoring ice.

One of the objects of my invention 1s to provide a new apparatus for scoring ice, which utilizes heat for effecting the scoring, which is simple, economically and efiiciently operated, and which is rapld in its operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel apparatus for scoring blocks of ice, in a manner such that each block may be accurately subdivided in a smaller block of like size.

Another object of my invention is the pr0- vision of a novel apparatus for scoring me which is simple, relatively cheap, strong, durable, not liable to get out of order, which is automatic in its operation, and in wh ch the scoring mechanism is set into operation by the block of ice which is to be scored.

The novel features of my inventlon are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which lllustrate the preferred embodiment of my improved apparatus,

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in elevat on and partly in vertical section of my improved ice scoring apparatus shown operatively engaging a block of ice. Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly of the same.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fi 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, reduced, of a5 a block of ice which has been scored with my improved apparatus. I

- H Fi 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electrica circuit-s employed. I

Fig. 6 is a enlarged fragmental horizontal section on the plane of the line 6-6 of 30 broken away,

Fig. 7 is a' section on the line 7--7 of Fi 8. Fig. 8 is -a section on the line 88 of Fig.6. I

. ig. 9kjis ,a"'section on the line 9-9 of f Fi 6." 1" gimilar 'reference characters designate ",1 similar, parts in the different views. 501 The apparatus is provided-wlth a suitable base 1- ,from which u wardly extend two 7 standards? and 13, whlch are spaced apart and are adapted tomeceive between them a block ofice 4-, which is to be scored an .5 ,which rests: upon the base 1.

The block of ice 4 is adapted to he slid on the base 1 between the standards 2 and 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2. When the block 4 has been slid to the scoring position, shown in Figs. 2 and 6, it will contact with the head 5 of a button, the stem 6 of which, Fig. 6, extends through a slot 7 provided in the adjacent side of a horizontally reciprocative tube 8, which is slidably mounted in the standard 3 and in a threaded tube 9 fitted in said standard and having a hole 10 in which said tube 8 is slidable.

A coil spring 11 encircles the tube 8 and bears at one end against a collar 12 fastened on said tube, and at its other end bearing against the threaded tube 9. The tension of the spring 11 normally forces the tube 8 to the projecting position shownin solid lines in Fig. 6, in which position the button 5 is adapted to have contact with the advanced side of the ice block 4, which forces the head 5 of the button against the tube 8, thereby holding the ice block from forward movement.

The stem 6 is fastened to and movable with a fiat spring contact plate 13, Figs. 5 and 6, which is fastened at one end, in the tube 8, to an insulation block 14, which is fastened to the adjacent side of the tube 8. To the opposite side of the tube 8 is fastened an insulation block 15, to which is attached one end of a contact spring plate 16, Figs. 5 and 6, against which is adapted to strike the contact plate 13, when the ice block 4 has forced the button 5 to the holding position shown in solid lines in Fig. 6.

Whenthe button is not depressed, the plate 13 will force it to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, in which position the plate 13 will be out of contact with the contact plate 16, thus breaking the circuit in which the plates 13 and 16 are located. Said plates form a normally open circuit closure.

For holding the ice block 4 from retraction from the scorin position, shown in Fig. 2, four horizonta 1y disposed U-shaped spring plates 17, Figs. 2 and 3, are mounted on each standard 2 and 3 to which they are secured at one set of ends, the other set of 'endsbeing respectively provided with inclined spurs 18, which are adapted to permit the ice block 4 to slide in one direction, I indicated bythe arrow in Fig. 2, but which engage the block, as shown in Fig. 2, and hold it against the button 5, when the latter is in the ath of the ice block.

Each 0 the standards 2 and 3 has horizontally reciprocative therein, an ice scoring member-comprising preferably a conductive element comprising, in the form shown, a vertical portion 19, which centrally intersects and is joined electrically to horizontal arms 20, which are spaced equally distant 8. art, and the upper and lower ones of w iich are spaced the same distance from the top and bottom respectively of the ice block 4.

The portions 19 and 20 of each scoring member are each of relatively small cross sectional area, whereby the resistance to the electrical current, which is passed through them, will highly heat them, so that, when applied to a block of ice, they will (puckl melt the ice along narrow strips t ereo thus scoring the ice by forming in each side of the block 4, Fig. 4, vertical grooves 21 and horizontal grooves 22 in opposite sides respectively of the ice block. The vertical portions 19 and the horizontal ortions 20 of each scoring member are dis osed respectively directly opposite to t e corresponding portions of the other scoring memher. The grooves 22, therefore, in one side of the block will be respectively in the same horizontal planes as the grooves 22 in the opposite side of the block. The groove 21, in each side of the block will be in'the same vertical plane as the other groove 21.

By utilizing the grooves 21 and 22, the ice block 4 may be divided into equal parts by means of an ice pick operated in the usual well known manner.

For respectively supporting the two scoring members 19-20, the following described mechanism may be employed. Two vertical supporting members 23, which are horizontally movable toward and from each other in the standards 2 and 3 respectively, and which are each provided with two parallel outwardly extending non-magnetic stems 24, disposed one above the other, and which are respectively longitudinally slidable in two yokes 25 disposed one above the other, wlth which each standard 2 and 3 is provided.

Mounted respectively on the adjacent sides of the supporting members 23 are thin plates 26, which are vertically disposed, and which are of insulating material, and to the adjacent edges of which are secured the vertical portions 19 of the scoring members.

Similar horizontal insulating plates 27 similarly support the portions 20 ofv the scoring members, said plates 27 being has tened respectively to the supporting members 23, Figs. 1 and 2.

For forcing the supporting members 23 toward each other, so that the scoring members 19-20 may operatively engage the ice block 4, the non-magnetic stems 24 are respectively fastened at their outer ends, as by threaded connections, Fig. 1, with the inner ends of four magnetic cores 28, which are respectively longitudinally reciprocative in four spools 29, which are respectively fastened at their inner ends, as with bolts 30, to the outer sides of the yokcs 25.

Respectlvcly wound on the spools 29 are magnet windings 31, which with the spools 29 form solenoids. \Vhen the windings 31 are energized, they will respectively draw inwardly the cores 28, thereby forcing the supporting members 23 toward each other, and forcing the scoring members against the ice block 4, when the latter is in the scoring position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

For automatically withdrawing the scoring members from the ice block, after the scoring operation has been completed. and the current has been cut-off from the windings 31, I provide four coil springs 32 respectively encircling the cores 28 and bearing at their inner ends respectively against the spools 29 and hearing at their outer ends respectively against washers 33 respectively mounted on the cores 28 and against the outer sides of which bear nuts 34, respectively mounted on the threaded outer ends of the cores 28.

For withdrawing the tube 8 out of the path of the ice block 4 after the block has been scored, and also to break the circuit in which are located the solenoid windings 31, there is pivoted on a vertical bolt 35 in the tube 8 a pawl 36, which at its forward end extends through a slot 37, Fig. 6, in the inner side of the tube 8.

The pawl 36 is normally forced into the slot 37 by a spring 38 fastened to the inner sidev of the tube 8. The adjacent supporting member 23 is provided adjacent to the tube 8 with an outwardly extending shoulder 39 having an inclined front side which, when the member 23 is forced to the scoring position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, forces the pawl 36 into the tube 8. After the shoulder 39 has passed the pawl 36, the latter drops behind the shoulder 39, and in so doing engages the outer end of a horizontal pin 40, which is longitudinally slidable in the adjacent member 23, and the inner end of which bears against a spring contact plate 41, which is normally in electrical contact with a contact plate 42 mounted on the adjacent member 23. \Vhen the pawl 36 strikes the pin 40 the pawl, due to the spring 38 which is stronger than the s ring plate 41, forces the pin 40 inwardly, t ereby disconnecting the contact plate 41 from the contact plate 42, thus breaking the circuit, at this point, in which are located the solenoid windin s 31.

The win ings being de-energized, the springs 32 will force the cores 28 outwardly to the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thereby drawing the supporting members 23 outwardly. to the posit-ions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and in solid lines in Fig. 6, at which time the shoulder 39', being engaged with the pawl 36 forces the latter, andwith it the tube 8 rearwardly, until the forward end of the tube 8 is withdrawn to a position in which the button 5 will be disengaged from theice block 4, and the tube 8 will be withdrawn from the path of the ice block, when the latter. is moved from between the standards 2 and 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2. i

For the purpose of'disenga-ging the pawl 36 from the shoulder 39 by the outward withdrawal of the ice block '4, after it has been. scored, and to permit the spring 11 to again force the tube 8 to its initial position shown in Fig. 6, there is longitudinally slidable in the tube 8 a bolt 43, Figs. 2, 6, 7 and 8, the forward end of which projects beyond the tube 8, and which is normally held in such projecting position by a coil spring 44, Figs. 7 and 8, which is located in a recess provided in the bolt 43, and which has its forward end bearing against the bolt 43, and its rear end bearing against a screw 46, mounted in the tube 8 and extending into the recess 45, and which serves to limit the outward movement of the bolt 43. The outer end and inner side of the bolt 43 has an inclined surface 47, which, when the tube 8 is withdrawn out of the path of the ice block, is disposed in the path of the ice block,

whereby when the ice block is removed in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2. the block will strike the inclined surface 47 of the bolt 43, thereby forcing the bolt inwardly in the tube 8.

The rear end of the bolt 43 is provided with an inclined surface 48, Figs. 6, 7 and 8, which, when the bolt 43 is in the projecting position engages a downwardly extending pin 49 on the under side and rear end of the pawl 36. When the block of ice forces the bolt 43 rearwardly, the inclined surface 48 by engaging the pin 49, will swing the pawl 36 out of engagement with the shoulder 39, upon which the spring 11 will force the tube 8 to its normal projecting position, shown in Fi .6, as soon as the ice block has been fully withdrawn from-in front of the tube 8.

Referring to Fig. 5, 50 designates a feed wire connected to any source of electric energy, not shown, as a dynamo or storage battery.

51 designates a conductor, which includes a cut-out switch 52, and which connects the feed wire 50 with the spring contact 16. A conductor 53 connects the spring contact 13 with the spring contact'41. A conductor 54 connects the contact 42 with one terminal of one of the solenoid windings 31, the other terminal of which is connected by a conductor 55 with one terminal of another one of the windings 31, the other terminal of which is connected'by a conductor 56 with the return conductor 57 which is connected to the electrical supply source above referred to.

The other two solenoid windings 31 are connected at one set of their terminals to a conductor 58, the other set of terminals being connected respectively to conductors 59 and 60. The conductor 59 is connected to the conductor 56. The conductor 60 is connected to a conductor 61 which connects the contact 42 with a switch 62, which is permanently connected to a conductor 63 connected to one terminal of the primary winding 64 on an induction coil, the other terminal of which is connected by a con ductor 65 with the conductor 56.

A conductor 66 connects one terminal of a secondary winding 67 of the induction coil to a central portion of one of the scoring members 19-20. A conductor, 68 connects the conductor 66 with the central portion of the other scoring member 1920. A conductor 69 has its ends connected to the ends of the portion 19 of one scoring member and is provided with branches 70 which connect with intermediate portions of said scoring member. A conductor 71 connects the conductor 69 with a conductor 72, which connects the other terminal of the winding 67 with a conductor 73, the ends of which connect with the ends of the ortion 19 of the other scoring member. 'l he conductor 73 has branches 74 respectively connecting with intermediate portions of the last named scoring member.

The switch 62 is adapted to be disconnected from the conductor 61 and to be brought into contact with the contact 75, which is connected by a conductor 76 with the feed conductor 50. i

In the operation of the invention, the switches 52 and 62 being in the positions shown in Fig. 5, the ice block 4 is moved between the standards 2 and 3 on the base 1 into contact with the button 5, in which position it will be held by the teeth 18 of the'U-shaped springs 17. The button 5 will i be forced to the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 6, thereby bringing the contact plates 13 and 16 into engagement with each other, upon which current will pass from the feed conductor 50 through the conductor 51, switch 52, contact plates 16 and 13, conductor 53, contact plates 41 and 42, where the current will divide, a portion passing through the conductor 61, switch 62, primary winding 64, and conductors 65 and 56 to the return conductor 57. The other portion of the divided current will pass from the contact 42 through the conductor 54 adjacent winding 31, conductor 55 adjacent winding 31, thence into conductor 56, wherein the current will again divide a portion passing to the return conductor 57, the other portion passing through the conductor 59, adjacent winding 31, conductor 58, the next adjacent winding 31, and conductor 60 to the conductor 61, after which it will follow the path already described to the return conductor 57.

The passage of the current through the windings 31 will energize these windings, thereby moving the cores 28 inwardly and as before described, bring the scoring members 1920 against opposite sides respectivel of the ice block 4, u on which the high y heated scoring mem ers will melt the ice, thereby forming the grooves 21 and 22.

The scoring members will be heated by the currents induced in the secondary winding 67, which currents will pass through the conductor 66 and conductor 68 to the scoring members 19-20, from which the currents will return by the conductors 69 and 7 3 and their branches 70'and 74 and the conductors 71 and 7 2 to the other terminal of the secondary winding 67 After the scoring members have been moved to a position in which the pawl 36 will drop behind the shoulder 39, Fig 6', the

' pawl Wlll force inwardly the pin 40, thus separating the contacts 41 and 42 and breakin the circuit at that point whereby the coils 31 and the windin 64 will be de-energized and heating of t e scoring members will cease.

cores 28 to their initial positions, thereby withdrawing the scoring members from engagement with the ice block to their initial positions as has been described. The out ward movement of themembers 23 will cause the retraction inwardly, as described, of the tube 8, thus permitting the ice block to be removed, and in such removal the bolt 43 -will be forced inwardly, thereby relbasing pawl 36 from the shoulder 39,- u n.

the whic the spring contact' ll will again c ose the circuit through the contact 42, and the spring 11 will force the tube 8 forwardly to its initial position, and the button 5 being freed from theice block will permit the spring contact 13 to break contact with the contact 16. The spring,v 44 will force the bolt 43 to its projecting position, and the parts will be ready for another block of ice to be scored.

From the above description, it will be i understood-that the operation may be made I bers 19-20 continuously heated, this may;

continuous and automatically with the ex- If'it is desired to keep the scoring m fii.

be effected by swinging the'switch 62- into engagement with the contact 75, upon which the current will pass from the feed con ductor 50 through the conductor 76, contact 75, switch 62, primary winding 64, conductor 63, and conductors 65 and 56 to the return conductor 57. The currents passing continuously throu h the winding 64 will constantly supply t e scoring members with current by the means already described.

What I claim is:

1. In an ice scoring apparatus, two oppositely alinedscoring members, means or heating said members, means for supporting a block of ice between said members, means by which said block controls the operation of said heating means, and means for bring in said members into contact with opposite si es respectively of said block.

2. In an ice scoring apparatus, two electrically conducted oppositely alined scorin members, means for electrically heating sai members, means for supporting a block of ice between said members, means by which said block controls the operation of said heating means, and means for movin said members into and out of contact with opposite sides respectively of said block.

3. In an ice scoring apparatus, an electrically conductive scoring member, means for electrically heating said member, an electrically actuated means for moving said member in one direction with respect to its scoring position and including circuit controlling means for said heating means, for renderin said actuating means active or inactive and I adapted to be operated by a block of ice The springs 32 will then withdraw the which is being scored, means by which said block controls the operation of said controlling means, and means for moving said member in the opposite direction.

4. In an ice scoring apparatus, an electrically conductive scoring member, means for electrically heating said member, electrically actuated means for moving said member to the scoring position, and including a circuit closer controlling said heating means for Eedto be closed; by a block of ice which isto cbe scored, means by which said block controls the operation of said normally open circuit closer, means for opening the normally closed circuit closerwhen said memwinding and said normall close close when-the scoring member is fully re tracted from the scoring position.

- {6. In an ice scoring apparatus, an electrically conductive SCOIlIlg member, a secondary winding'of an induction coil incircuit with said scoring member, a circuit includo n c1rcu1t closer, a nor-' ing a normall mally closed circmt closer and the primary winding of said induction coil, electromagnetic means in shunt with said rimary circuit closer for forcing said mem r to its operative position, means for automatically retractin said member from said position, means y which a block of ice closes said normally open circuit closer when in position to be operated upon by said scoring member, movable means by which the last named means is normally forced to its operative position, means actuated by said forcing means upon its retraction for retracting sai movable means from the operative position and for opening said normall closed circuit closer, and means actuated by said block when movedin'the proper direction for releasing said movable means from said forcin means.

n testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ROSCOE T. GRAY. 

